Mixing of water in a carbonate aquifer, southern Italy, analysed through stable isotope investigations

Petrella, Emma; Celico, Fulvio

doi:10.5038/1827-806x.42.1.4

Cited by 23 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Conversely, the abrupt decrease in permeability with depth within the siliciclastic sequence, and the existence of a lower, less permeable bedrock, is supported by the step-like variation of EC with depth observed in the wells P4 and P5 (Figure 7). This interpretation is in agreement with the findings in other heterogeneous hardrock media, where a halocline is observed in the saturated zone, due to contrast in permeability with depth (Morin et al, 1997;Cook et al, 1999;Petrella et al, 2009a;Petrella and Celico, 2013). When comparing the hydraulic head fluctuations in the wells P3 and P4 with those measured in the wells P1 and P2, the one-to-ten relationship (Figure 4) indicates a significant lateral heterogeneity in terms of hydraulic conductivity of the siliciclastic bedrock (at the hectometric scale, at least), in agreement with the coexistence of higher and lower permeability rocks.…”

Section: Hydrogeological Settingsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Conversely, the abrupt decrease in permeability with depth within the siliciclastic sequence, and the existence of a lower, less permeable bedrock, is supported by the step‐like variation of EC with depth observed in the wells P4 and P5 (Figure ). This interpretation is in agreement with the findings in other heterogeneous hard‐rock media, where a halocline is observed in the saturated zone, due to contrast in permeability with depth (Morin et al ., ; Cook et al ., ; Petrella et al ., ; Petrella and Celico, ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Complex hydraulic interactions between compartmentalized carbonate aquifers and heterogeneous siliciclastic successions: a case study in southern Italy

et al. 2015

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Abstract:The sedimentary sequences containing lithologic units with low permeability represent hydrogeologic systems which, as of now, have been little studied despite their diffusion worldwide. A hydrogeologic study, aimed to assess the main factors controlling the groundwater flow dynamics in such systems and their hydraulic interactions with nearby carbonate aquifers, has been carried out in Longano (Isernia, Southern Italy).The analysis of the hydraulic heads, combined with the regimes of the springs and the electric conductivity of the groundwater, mainly reflect vertical and lateral heterogeneities of the media in terms of hydraulic properties. In particular, the flow system is controlled by lateral heterogeneities, which characterize a surficial horizon made up of clayey colluviums and talus deposits, separated from the deeper saturated, fissured bedrock. One-to-ten relationships in hydraulic heads, monitored in piezometers crossing the fissured media, further uphold the crucial role played by the lateral contrasts of permeability in controlling the flow dynamics. On the whole, significant interactions with the nearby carbonate hydrostructure take place. Nevertheless, the heterogeneities of the siliciclastic succession and surficial horizon, coupled with the compartmentalization of the carbonate system, leads to a complex hydrogeological scenario.In a wider perspective, this study gives information of utmost importance in order to improve the implementation of mathematical models and configuration of tapping works within these heterogeneous and complex settings.

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Section: Hydrogeological Settingsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complex hydraulic interactions between compartmentalized carbonate aquifers and heterogeneous siliciclastic successions: a case study in southern Italy

et al. 2015

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“…As can be seen from Figure 11 and Figure 12, a step-like shape may be identified in the salt According to previous studies in fissured media (e.g., [63][64][65][66]), the location of the sharp variations in EC with depth identifies the location of major and more transmissive openings in a lower permeability medium.…”

Section: Numerical Resultsmentioning

confidence: 66%

Integrating Hydrogeological and Microbiological Data and Modelling to Characterize the Hydraulic Features and Behaviour of Coastal Carbonate Aquifers: A Case in Western Cuba

Hernández-Díaz

Petrella

Bucci

et al. 2019

Water

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Carbonate aquifers are the primary source of freshwater in Cuba. Unfortunately, coastal groundwater is often contaminated by seawater intrusion. The main aim of the present study was to test the efficacy of an experimental modelling approach, ranging from hydrogeology/geomorphology to microbiology, to better characterise both the hydraulic features and behaviour of a coastal carbonate aquifer and acquire useful information to prevent groundwater salinization. The interdisciplinary approach was an effective tool in order to understand (i) the hydraulic role played by some fault zones; (ii) the influence of discontinuous heterogeneities on groundwater flow and saltwater wedge shape; (iii) mixing processes between different water bodies (groundwater, surface water, seawater); (iv) the role of karst conduits in influencing the step-like halocline within the mixing zone between fresh groundwater and seawater.

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“…Although the wide karst channels do not significantly influence the behaviour of the aquifer (through direct links between swallow holes and springs), the presence of jagged spring hydrographs developing during recharge periods suggests that the aquifer system is characterized by a low effective porosity, which is largely controlled by the development of thin fracture networks. However, field evidence indicates that it is often possible to find variations in the effective porosity levels due to differing degrees of karstification and fissuring (Petrella et al ., ; Petrella et al ., ; Celico et al ., ; Petrella and Celico, ). In fact, an epikarst zone up to 10 m in thickness typically forms the uppermost component of the aquifer system (Figure ).…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of low‐permeability fault zones on groundwater flow in a compartmentalized system. Experimental evidence from a carbonate aquifer (Southern Italy)

Petrella

Aquino

Fiorillo

et al. 2014

Hydrological Processes

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The hydrogeological behaviour of fault zones in carbonate aquifers is often neglected in conceptual and numerical models. Furthermore, no information is available regarding the relationships between piezometric levels when significant compartmentalization occurs due to the occurrence of low‐flow fault zones. The aim of this study was to refine the conceptualization of subsurface flow in faulted carbonate aquifers and to analyse relationships between sub‐basins within a compartmentalized aquifer system in Southern Italy. The interactions between compartments that straddle low‐flow faults were investigated over four hydrologic years using a statistical approach to compare (i) the hydraulic heads within two wells located up‐ and down‐gradient of tectonic discontinuities as well as (ii) the rainfall and piezometric levels. The results of this study suggest that a set of barriers exists between the wells, and, therefore, the total head loss observed between the wells (approximately 80 m) should be distributed across several aquitards, with one aquitard exhibiting a relatively high permeability or low degree of integrity. Due to slight differences in permeability, transient conditions in aquitards can occur over relatively short periods, which is in agreement with the results of the statistical data analysis. Consequently, rather than being caused by pure aquitards, aquifer system compartmentalization likely results from slight differences in the permeability between lower‐permeability fault zones and adjacent higher‐permeability protoliths. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Mixing of water in a carbonate aquifer, southern Italy, analysed through stable isotope investigations

Cited by 23 publications

References 48 publications

Complex hydraulic interactions between compartmentalized carbonate aquifers and heterogeneous siliciclastic successions: a case study in southern Italy

Complex hydraulic interactions between compartmentalized carbonate aquifers and heterogeneous siliciclastic successions: a case study in southern Italy

Integrating Hydrogeological and Microbiological Data and Modelling to Characterize the Hydraulic Features and Behaviour of Coastal Carbonate Aquifers: A Case in Western Cuba

The effect of low‐permeability fault zones on groundwater flow in a compartmentalized system. Experimental evidence from a carbonate aquifer (Southern Italy)

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